Ex Joint Warrior 13 British & French Troops Jump into Joint Warrior

The joint force under the command of 16 Air Assault Brigade, arrived on Ex Joint Warrior on 25th April. Some 1,300 British troops and 300 French counterparts from 11e BP landed from the air in the West Freugh area of Scotland, with the exercise scenario tasking them to stabilise an area disputed by two fictional nations which are divided by economic and ethnic factors.

A joint force from 2 PARA and the French 1er Regiment de Chasseurs Parachutistes (1er RCP) parachuted in to capture Castle Kennedy airfield. West Freugh airfield was seized by 2 PARA in a helicopter assault, followed up by a rapid landing by a C-130 transport aircraft to deliver more troops and equipment. Securing the airfields marks the beginning of demanding training that will confirm the two brigades’ readiness to deploy together at short notice.

The two brigades provide their armies’ rapid reaction forces and are at the forefront of closer military co-operation between Britain and France. Ex Joint Warrior also provided a final training opportunity for the 2 PARA Battlegroup to confirm their readiness to take on the AATF role from May. The role sees the unit’s airborne infantry bolstered by artillery, engineers, medics and logisticians from 16 Air Assault Brigade and ready to deploy anywhere in the world at short notice to conduct the full range of military operations.

Col ‘Jacko’ Jackson, Dep Comd 16 Air Assault Brigade, said: “As the AATF we are trained and capable of operating in an uncertain world. We are held in very high readiness as to be able to conduct forcible theatre entry worldwide at short notice; having a strategic effect due to the Force’s agility, reach and ability. Joint Warrior has given us the opportunity to formally demonstrate this, and as a bi-national land component with our sister French Brigade, we have rapidly developed a credible and progressively validated capability with them. We share common values and purpose.”

Col Bruno Helluy, from 11e BP, said: “During one year 16 Air Assault Brigade and 11e Brigade Parachutiste have worked together to be able to do this kind of intervention. Our partnership is one part of the broader joint French-UK high readiness intervention force. The exercise demonstrates that we can plan and conduct operations together, both airborne and air assault. The exercise went very well.”